Game #7--December 18, 2017
Bulldogs snap Spartans streak, remain undefeated
Francis Howell Central10121813 = 53
Ft. Zumwalt South1118 2529 =83
The Bulldogs controlled the offensive glass, scoring 19 points off offensive rebounds to the Spartans 5 and snapping FHC’s three-game winning streak.
Signs of trouble were evident in the opening minute as the Bulldogs grabbed two quick offensive rebounds and Darious Thomas completed a traditional 3-point play—the first of his 33 points in the game. Rico Coleman scored and Kaleb Anderson drained a 3-pointer to even the score at 5. The Spartans jumped ahead 8-7 on a combined three free throws from Colin Hepler and Myles Estrada, the latter coming off a Kaleb Anderson steal. Rico Coleman’s basket gave the Spartans another short-lived lead.
South scored six consecutive points to take a 15-10 advantage early in the second quarter. LaRenzo Hayes scored, then Myles Estrada scored following a steal to pull the Spartans within one. Myles followed with a 3-pointer to give the Spartans a 17-15 lead, the only time FHC would ever lead by more than one. After the Bulldogs tied the game, Rico Coleman put the Spartans ahead 18-17, followed by a 12-2 South run fueled by untimely turnovers. Adam Lewis converted both ends of a one-and-one to end the first-half scoring.
The Bulldogs extended their lead early in the second quarter, outscoring the Spartans 7-3 in the opening minutes, with FHC mustering only an Austin Crudup 3-point play. LaRenzo Hayes and Rico Coleman briefly kept the Spartans within a single digit. Myles Estrada was the only Spartan to score over a stretch of more than three minutes, recording 8 points, but the Bulldogs had built a 50-37 lead. Myles’ two free throws with 2:04 left in the third quarter were the Spartans first points off an offensive rebound. Spencer Allen dropped a triple with 1:31 left, but the offense fell cold. However, the defense did prevent one final Bulldog shot before the third-quarter buzzer.
The Spartans struggles continued through the fourth quarter, despite receiving 3-pointers from Kaleb Anderson and Spencer Allen. Terron Robinson’s putback with 3:44 remaining was the first and only second-chance basket of the game for FHC and the Spartans were held scoreless over the final 2:22.
Myles Estrada led the Spartans with 14 points. Rico Coleman scored 11 points. Kaleb Anderson added 6 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Spencer Allen also scored 6 points while Terron Robinson pulled 5 rebounds.
The Bulldogs remained undefeated at 6-0 while the Spartans fell to 4-3. FHC will open the MICDS Holiday Invitational on Friday, December 23, facing Ladue at 4:30 pm.